Australia: pet duck in Perth found with bird flu - Low Pathogenic H5

[Gert van der Hoek]

Pet duck in Perth found with bird flu

March 12, 2013

NEARLY 100 birds in Perth have been euthanased as a precaution after a pet duck was found to have a type of bird flu.

The state's Department of Agriculture has confirmed to AAP that the domestic duck, who lived at a property north of Perth, was found to have the low pathogen H5 strain of the virus.

Department livestock biosecurity director Michelle Rodan said tests had confirmed the strain of H5 influenza was not the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus, which affects poultry and humans in much of Asia.

"The Department of Health advises that low pathogenic avian influenza poses no known serious threat to human health," Dr Rodan said.

"Once the virus was confirmed, 71 ducks and chickens originating from the property were humanely euthanased as required under national protocols.

"The ducks and chickens had been moved to a second property north of Perth, where a further 24 ducks and chickens were located. These were also euthanased."



Read more: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-new...lu/story-e6frfku9-1226595624801#ixzz2NJHzIn6z

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Australia: pet duck in Perth found with bird flu - Low Path

Re: Australia: pet duck in Perth found with bird flu - Low Path

Strains of Bird Flu Found Among Ducks in Perth

By ESTHER TANQUINTIC-MISA

March 12, 2013

The Department of Agriculture and Food in Australia's state of Perth on Tuesday announced it had found strains of the bird flu among ducks on a property located off the north east. The good news is, the threat poses no risks to human health.

The duck which was diagnosed with low pathogenic H5 avian influenza has been described as a backyard duck. Still, the department took measures to destroy about 100 ducks and chickens that had contact with the sick bird to prevent further spread and contamination of the virus, although the discovered strain is less serious compared with the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus bird flu that swept through Asia.

"The Department of Health advises that low pathogenic avian influenza poses no known serious threat to human health,'' Michelle Rodan, department livestock biosecurity director, said.

"Once the virus was confirmed, 71 ducks and chickens originating from the property were humanely euthanased as required under national protocols.

More: IB Times